Sound toy

ABSTRACT

Sound toys comprising toy vehicles having sound reproducing apparatus including a depending stylus extending from the underside thereof, and a track or path having a recorded sound strip along which the vehicles may be manually propelled. The recorded sound strip includes a plurality of closely spaced sound grooves bearing different sound messages and the stylus randomly cooperates with one of the sound grooves as the vehicle is operated along the track.

United States Patent lnventors Harry Disko Chicago; Gunars Licitls, Lombard, both of, III. App]v No. 802,920 Filed Feb. 27, 1969 Patented July 13, 1971 Assignee Marvin Glass 8: Associates Chicago, Ill.

SOUND TOY 8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

0.8. CI 46/175, 46/202 Int. Cl A63h 5/00 Field of Search 46/1 l l- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,236,431 3/1941 l-lollingsworth et al 46/l 13 2,248,473 7/1941 Franklin 46/1 11 Primary Examiner- Russell R. Kinsey Assistant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting Attorneys-James F. Coffee and Gerald M. Newman ABSTRACT: Sound toys comprising toy vehicles having sound reproducing apparatus including a depending stylus extending from the underside thereof, and a track or path having a recorded sound strip along which the vehicles may be manually propelled. The recorded sound strip includes a plurality of closely spaced sound grooves bearing different sound messages and the stylus randomly cooperates with one of the sound grooves as the vehicle is operated along the track.

PATENTED Jun 3 ml SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTORS awn/A25 z/c/r/s 5M7 7/1....

ATTOR N EV PATENTEU JUL 1 315m sum 2 0F 4 INVENTOQS ATTORN EY PATENTEU JULl 3mm 3.591877 sum u or 4 INVENTORS HAPPY 0/5 (0 GU VAFS A/C/T/S A TORNEY SOUND TOY This invention relates in general to toys. In particular this invention is directed to toys having internal sound reproducing mechanisms randomly cooperable with a plurality of sound grooves having a variety of sound messages.

While sound producing toys are well known in the art, such toys nevertheless remain popular among children. Typical advances in sound reproducing toys are improved sound clarity and a reduction in the manufacturing cost of the toy. In addition, it is desirable to provide a toy which is unusual in its operation and will tolerate rough abuse without malfunctionmg.

This invention provides a sound toy comprising a simulated vehicle having sound reproduction apparatus including a stylus, and a path, which may simulate a roadway including an elevated sound strip having sound grooves with which the stylus cooperates while the vehicle is manually propelled along the roadway. Sound messages are recorded in the sound grooves and there is random cooperation between the stylus and any sound groove.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide a sound toy such as a simulated vehicle, having sound reproducing apparatus cooperable with a plurality of sound grooves.

Another object of this invention is to provide an economical toy capable of distinctly reproducing sound messages and which retains its operational capabilities under conditions of severe mishandling.

A further object of this invention is to provide a sound toy having a housing and a voice cone with a depending stylus cooperable with an elevated median strip. Guide means are associated with the median strip for guiding the housing generally parallel thereto.

Additional objects of this invention will become apparent to those versed in the art upon an understanding of the following detailed description of the toy construction taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the toy is shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a three dimensional perspective view of a sound producing toy including a simulated toy vehicle 10 and a roadway 12;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, elevational cross-sectional view of the toy vehicle with its sound apparatus in its nonoperational mode;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the toy vehicle taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view generally similar to that of FIG. 2 but with the sound apparatus of the toy vehicle in its operational mode;

FIG. 5. is an elevational, partial cross-sectional view of the simulated vehicle shown in its operational mode and taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified embodiment of the sound reproducing toy including a simulated toy vehicle 100 and a vehicle track 102;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, plan view of an end portion of the track I02 showing the construction of a vehicle terminal station;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, side cross-sectional view of toy vehicle 100 and the track shown in FIG. 6, with its sound apparatus in a nonoperational mode;

FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view of toy vehicle 100 and the track generally taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 6, showing the sound apparatus in its operational mode; and

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the toy vehicle 100 and its sound reproducing apparatus.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, vehicle I0 includes a housing comprising a chassis having a body 22 simulating a real vehicle. While an automobile having wheels is shown in the embodiment, it is obvious that other simulated wheeled vehicles such as a fire engine, police car, racing car or truck could also be used with the toy construction of the invention.

Body 22 and chassis 20 form a cavity 2 2 housing sound reproducing apparatus 11 comprising an amplifying diaphragm or voice cone 28 having a depending stylus 16 supported in a vibration transmitting member 17 carried at the apex of the cone. A cover 32 is seated on the outer rim 19 or maximum diameter of the cone. The voice cone includes an oval-shaped corrugated area 30 which enhances proper flexing of the cone as it vibrates by acoustically insulating the cone from the mass of cover 32.

Cover 32 includes a vertically extending hollow cylindrical member 36 receiving a compression spring 40 which extends between the top of the cover and the undersurface of the roof of body 22. Spring 40 biases cover 32 and the voice cone downwardly toward the chasses, so that the portion of the cones lower surface adjacent its apex is supported on the upper surface of chassis 20. An opening 42 is provided through chassis 20 substantially vertically aligned with cylindrical member 36 receiving member 17 and stylus 16, thus allowing the stylus to extend from cavity 24 to the exterior of the vehicle housing.

A thin, narrow stabilizing member 50 is secured by a fastener 52 to the underside of chassis 20 adjacent the front of the vehicle. The stabilizing member extends rearwardly from the front of the vehicle to member 17 and is connected thereto for providing lateral stabilization of member 17, the stylus, and the voice cone in a manner more clearly understood from the below operational description of the apparatus.

The vehicle 10 is yieldingly supported on freely rotatable front wheels 53 and 54 and freely rotatable rear wheels 56 and 58, which contribute a realistic appearance to the toy. Thefront wheels are carried on a front axle 60 which extends transversely of the chassis and is loosely journaled in depending front flanges 62 and 64 having aligned, vertically elongated journals 66 and 68, respectively. Rear wheels 56 and 58 are similarly carried on a rear axle 70 loosely journaled in depending rear flanges 72 and 74 which also define aligned, vertically elongated journals 76 and 78, respectively.

Chassis 20 is normally biased upwardly by flat spring members 80 and 83 which may be struck from a central area of chassis 20, and are sufficiently deformed to retain a memory thereby functioning as springs. The chassis and the spring members may be fabricated of metal, plastic, or other suitable material. Spring members 80 and 83 bear downwardly on front and rear axles 60 and 70 respectively thereby seating the axles on the lower edges of the journals for normally maintaining the chassis, body and its enclosed sound reproducing apparatus in an elevated position relative to the wheels and roadway.

As best seen in FIG. 2, front flanges 62 and 64 and rear flanges 72 and 74 extend downwardly from the chassis a distance slightly less than the radius of the wheels so as to normally terminate above the roadway level. The lower surfaces of the flanges converge, wedgelike, to form a guide-edge 82 extending lengthwise of the vehicle. Edge 82 functions to guide the vehicle along the roadway and also cooperates with a surface susceptible to accidental marring to prevent damage by the pointed stylus in a manner to be described in further detail below.

Finally, the vehicle includes longitudinal guard walls 84 and 86 which depend from the underside of the chassis and partially enclose stylus 16 to protect it and the associated sound reproduction apparatus from damage at the hands of inquisitive children.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, roadway 12 includes two spaced apart wheel supporting areas 90 and an elevated central median strip 91 having a sound strip 14 with rectilinear sound grooves 18 having recorded sound messages. The recorded messages extend from a location adjacent a starting end 9d of the strip to a finishing end 96. The sound grooves are vertically modulated, that is, they are irregular in depth and contain acoustical information comprising a sound message. The vertically modulated sound grooves may be impressed directly in the surface material of the median strip or they may be impressed in a separate tape of vinyl or other suitable material, which is secured to the top surface of the median strip. Wheel areas 90 of the roadway include a plurality of closely spaced rectilinear guide grooves '95 which are parallel to the sound grooves and are engaged by guide edges 82 of flanges 62, 64, 72 and 74 for insuring rectilinear movement of the vehicle and to facilitate tracking of the stylus.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the toy in its operational mode. During operation, the vehicle is placed on the roadway at starting end 94 with the wheels supported on areas 90 and straddling median strip 91. The user manually exerts a force downwardly on body 22 which flexes springs 80 and 83 thereby lowering the body and chassis relative to the roadway and wheels. As the body and chassis are lowered, stylus 16 randomly engages a sound groove 18 on the elevated median elevated median strip 14 depending upon the lateral placement of the vehicle on the roadway. With the stylus engaging a sound groove, additional downward force on the body causes additional body movement relative to the roadway, against the biasing of springs 80 and 83.

Since the stylus is engaging the sound strip, any additional downward movement of the body causes upward movement of the voice cone against the force of spring 40. Typical movement of the body is sufficient to lift the voice cone about one thirty-second of an inch above its normal support on the upper surface of the chassis to allow free, undamped vibration of the stylus and voice cone. In this operational position, as best seen in FIG. 4, the pressure of the stylus engaging the sound groove is wholly dependent upon the relatively constant force exerted by spring 40 and the mass of the sound reproducing apparatus.

The limit ofdownward movement of the body relative to the roadway is determined by guide edges 82 engaging guide grooves 95.

As the vehicle is manually propelled along the roadway, guided by edges 82 cooperating with grooves 95, the stabilizing member 50 inhibits lateral movement of the stylus about each of its horizontal axes, while allowing free vertical movement thereof for vertical vibration of the voice cone.

The clarity of the message is enhanced by a baffling member 98 depending from cover 32 and generally encircling the sides of the voice cone. The baffle prevents cancellation of the backwave emitted from the back of the voice cone, by the frontwave emitted from the front thereof.

Finally, it should be noted that the height of the pointed end of the stylus above a plane defined by guide edges 82, is sufficient to prevent the stylus from contacting a flat surface such as a finished table top. This eliminates marring and scratching of furniture and possible destruction of the sound apparatus by overzealous children attempting to use their toy vehicle on the family furnishings.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 10 of the drawings, a modified embodiment of the sound reproducing toy comprises a simulated space vehicle 1110 having sound reproducing apparatus 114. In addition to the toy vehicle, the modified embodiment includes a path or sound track 102 having a central sound strip 118 carrying a number of sound grooves 1211. The sound grooves of this embodiment are also provided with sound messages so that as the vehicle is placed on the track and manually propelled therealong, a depending stylus 122 of the sound apparatus engages a sound groove to reproduce a sound message.

While the vehicle 1011 illustrated in the modified embodiment simulates a space ship, other space toys such as a rocket launcher or a space excursion module may be used with the toy construction of the invention. It should be noted that the simulated vehicles of the modified embodiment are not supported on wheels as are the vehicles of the first embodiment, but rather are supported on fixed flanges.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, vehicle 100 comprises a housing having a circular top 126 and a generally cylindrical body 128. Body 128 includes a cylindrical sidewall 129. a flared upper rim portion 131 adjoining top 126, and a narrow horizontal ledge 133 at the lower end of sidewall 129.

Body 128 partially encloses a housing inner structure 130 comprising a cylindrical inner wall which is contiguous with and secured to the interior surface of body wall 129, as by a suitable adhesive or a' tight friction fit. Inner structure 130 also includes a horizontal bottom wall 132 defining a rectangular opening 137 extending from the front to the rear of the vehicle. A pair of spaced apart, generally vertical, depending walls 134 are provided along the long edges of rectangular opening 137 and cooperate with the opening to form an open rectangular channel 136.

A dish shaped shell 140 having a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of cylindrical wall 135, and having a wall height slightly less than the height of wall 135, is disposed interior of housing inner structure 130. Shell 140 includes a cylindrical sidewall and a horizontal bottom wall 146 which is normally supported on the upper surface of inner housing wall 132. The shell is keyed to wall 135 by a pair of diametrically opposed vertical ribs 142 disposed on the outer surface of vertical wall 145 of shell 140. Ribs 142 cooperate with two diametrically opposed vertical slots 143, each formed by a pair of spaced apart vertical ribs 144 provided on the inner surface of wall 135. Cooperation of ribs realistic with slots 143 allows free vertical movement of the shell relative to the inner structure, but prevents relative rotational movement.

Bottom 146 of shell 140 is relieved at 148 to provide a generally resilient bridge 1511 having a centrally located aperture 152 for receiving stylus 122.

Shell 140 carries a voice cone or amplifying diaphragm 154 which is generally cone-shaped and includes an apex 155 and a circular, corrugated portion 156 at its large diameter. The cone is supported at its large diameter, outwardly adjacent corrugations 156, by the upper edge of shell wall 145. Apex 155 of the cone is supported at the center of bridge 150. The voice cone includes a vibration transmitting member 158 which carries stylus 122 and facilitates transmission of acoustical vibrations from the stylus to the voice cone for reproduction of the sound information carried on sound strip 1 18.

Sound apparatus 1 14 also includes an upper bridge 160 having four cross arms 162 which cooperate with the upper edge of shell wall 145 and the outer rim of the voice cone to assist in maintaining the cone in its proper position. A coiled compression spring 164 is positioned between the undersurface of top 126 and a depression 166 a the center of the upper bridge. Coil spring 164 thus biases the upper bridge, the shell, and the cone and stylus downwardly so that the shell is normally supported on the upper surface of the inner structure wall 132.

Finally, the vehicle includes four depending flanges or rails 170 which are secured to, or molded integral with, wall 132 and are beveled to form a narrow edge 172 at their lower ends. The narrow edges are provided with serrations 174 for cooperation with track 1112.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, the sound track or path 1112 comprises a central, elevated median strip 1S0 having the sound strip 118 with its sound grooves 121) disposed on the upper surface thereof. The message information in the sound grooves begins at a point adjacent a starting end 176 of the path and terminates adjacent the opposite end of the track, not shown. The path also includes a plurality of guide grooves 182 disposed on each side of the elevated median strip. Guide grooves 182 extend parallel to sound grooves 120 and have a configuration complementary to the serrations 174 of depending flanges 170. Thus, as the vehicle is moved along the track, flange serrations 174 cooperate with guide grooves 182 to assure parallel movement of the stylus relative to a sound groove.

Finally, the sound track includes a station 186 at track end 176, which in the modified embodiment, simulates a space station. The space station comprises a base 188 having an insert 190 which may be fabricated of cardboard and bears a space scene illustration. A hemispherically shaped transparent cover 192, having openings 194 disposed about its lower edge, is

provided for covering the space station. Openings 194 cooperate with a number of tabs 196 struck from base 188 to provide a station cover which may be selectively placed on or removed from the base by a slight rotation of the cover relative to the base. During periods of nonuse, the vehicle may be stored in the station beneath the cover to prevent its loss or misplacement.

Operationally, as best seen in H6. 9, as the vehicle is manually placed on the track 102, stylus 122 is laterally aligned with median strip 180 by depending walls 134, so that it cooperates with any one of the sound grooves 120. As the stylus engages a sound groove, a manual downward force on the housing causes serrations 174 to engage a number of parallel guide grooves 182. Simultaneously, engagement of the stylus with its sound groove causes the shell to be lifted above wall 132, against the downward biasing of coil spring 164. Thus, the shell effectively floats within the housing which prevents damping of the voice cone and enhances acoustical reproduction as the vehicle is moved along the track. Lower bridge 150 allows vertical vibration of the stylus and voice cone, while stabilizing the stylus to maintain it in a vertical attitude.

Of course, as noted with respect to the first described embodiment, flanges 170 prevent the pointed end of the stylus from engaging a flat surface which may cause damage to the surface and the sound apparatus.

What has been described is a sound reproducing toy vehicle for use with a sound strip having a plurality of vertically modulated sound grooves and cooperating guide means and having means for preventing engagement of a stylus carried by the vehicle with other planar surfaces.

It is obvious that upon study by those skilled in the art the disclosed invention may be altered or modified without departing from its inventive concept.

What we claim is:

1. A sound producing toy vehicle comprising: a vehicle path having a strip bearing a plurality of generally parallel grooves having a plurality of recorded sound messages; a housing having a simulated vehicle body; a voice cone supported within said housing and having a depending stylus secured thereto and extending through the underside of the housing and engageable with any one of said sound grooves, spring means biasing said cone and providing relative movement between said stylus and said sound groove for reproducing a sound message as the stylus moves along a groove on said strip, said body being adapted to straddle said recording strip and being movable laterally thereof to position said stylus in any one of said grooves, and means on said vehicle path and on said toy vehicle body which are cooperable to guide said stylus along the path of a selected groove.

2. The sound producing toy vehicle as set forth in claim 1,

including additionally: a number of wheels supporting said housing on the path; said cone biasing means biasing said housing upwardly relative to said path and positioning said stylus normally out of engagement with said sound grooves; said stylus engaging one of said sound grooves upon applying a downward force to said housing; and wherein said sound grooves are stationary and said vehicle is manually propelled therealong.

3. The sound producing toy vehicle as set forth in claim 2 further including a narrow stabilizing member secured at the front end of the vehicle housing and extending rearwardly to said stylus for confining stylus movement to the vertical direction in the sound groove.

4. The sound producing toy as set forth in claim 3, wherein said vehicle path comprises a simulated roadway having two spaced apart wheel engaging strips, and an elevated median strip bearing said parallel grooves on an upper surface thereof; said vehicle straddling said median strip with said stylus randomly engageable with anyone of said sound grooves; and cooperating guide means on said wheel engaging strips and said housing for guiding said vehicle along said roadway, said guide means also limiting downward movement of the vehicle relative to said sound strip.

5. The sound producing toy as set forth in claim 4 wherein said stylus is normally disposed above said roadway a sufficient distance to prevent engagement thereof with said median strip but is engageable with the latter upon exerting a downward force on the housing.

6. A sound producing toy vehicle comprising a vehicle path having an elevated median strip along the length of the path bearing a plurality of generally parallel sound grooves having recorded sound messages on an upper surface thereof, and having a guide strip parallel to the sound grooves along at least one side of the vehicle path adjacent said median strip; a vehicle housing adapted for straddling said median strip and having a voice cone carrying is depending stylus extending through the underside of the housing for random engagement with one of said sound grooves; and guide means on the underside of said housing cooperating with said guide strip for guiding the vehicle along said path in a direction generally parallel to the sound grooves.

7. The toy vehicle as set forth in claim 6 including means defining an open channel on the underside of said housing receiving said stylus, said latter means providing lateral guidance of said vehicle to enable ready placement of the stylus on the median strip.

8. The toy vehicle as set forth in claim 7 wherein said path includes a station at one end thereof suitable for receiving said vehicle during periods of nonuse, and a cover for generally enclosing the vehicle in the station and cooperable therewith to prevent fortuitous loss of the vehicle. 

1. A sound producing toy vehicle comprising: a vehicle path having a strip bearing a plurality of generally parallel grooves having a plurality of recorded sound messages; a housing having a simulated vehicle body; a voice cone supported within said housing and having a depending stylus secured thereto and extending through the underside of the housing and engageable with any one of said sound grooves, spring means biasing said cone and providing relative movement between said stylus and said sound groove for reproducing a sound message as the stylus moves along a groove on said strip, said body being adapted to straddle said recording strip and being movable laterally thereof to position said stylus in any one of said grooves, and means on said vehicle path and on said toy vehicle body which are cooperable to guide said stylus along the path Of a selected groove.
 2. The sound producing toy vehicle as set forth in claim 1, including additionally: a number of wheels supporting said housing on the path; said cone biasing means biasing said housing upwardly relative to said path and positioning said stylus normally out of engagement with said sound grooves; said stylus engaging one of said sound grooves upon applying a downward force to said housing; and wherein said sound grooves are stationary and said vehicle is manually propelled therealong.
 3. The sound producing toy vehicle as set forth in claim 2 further including a narrow stabilizing member secured at the front end of the vehicle housing and extending rearwardly to said stylus for confining stylus movement to the vertical direction in the sound groove.
 4. The sound producing toy as set forth in claim 3, wherein said vehicle path comprises a simulated roadway having two spaced apart wheel engaging strips, and an elevated median strip bearing said parallel grooves on an upper surface thereof; said vehicle straddling said median strip with said stylus randomly engageable with anyone of said sound grooves; and cooperating guide means on said wheel engaging strips and said housing for guiding said vehicle along said roadway, said guide means also limiting downward movement of the vehicle relative to said sound strip.
 5. The sound producing toy as set forth in claim 4 wherein said stylus is normally disposed above said roadway a sufficient distance to prevent engagement thereof with said median strip but is engageable with the latter upon exerting a downward force on the housing.
 6. A sound producing toy vehicle comprising a vehicle path having an elevated median strip along the length of the path bearing a plurality of generally parallel sound grooves having recorded sound messages on an upper surface thereof, and having a guide strip parallel to the sound grooves along at least one side of the vehicle path adjacent said median strip; a vehicle housing adapted for straddling said median strip and having a voice cone carrying a depending stylus extending through the underside of the housing for random engagement with one of said sound grooves; and guide means on the underside of said housing cooperating with said guide strip for guiding the vehicle along said path in a direction generally parallel to the sound grooves.
 7. The toy vehicle as set forth in claim 6 including means defining an open channel on the underside of said housing receiving said stylus, said latter means providing lateral guidance of said vehicle to enable ready placement of the stylus on the median strip.
 8. The toy vehicle as set forth in claim 7 wherein said path includes a station at one end thereof suitable for receiving said vehicle during periods of nonuse, and a cover for generally enclosing the vehicle in the station and cooperable therewith to prevent fortuitous loss of the vehicle. 